Manuel Lozano, head winemaker of Lustau, dies

 

 Manuel Lozano

During the #winelover trip to Jerez we had a great visit on 10th February and we were very privileged to have Manuel Lozano lead us round the Lustau Bodega explaining the mysteries of sherry. He had been unwell and it wasn't certain that he would be present – but he was. It is very sad to learn that Manuel died last Tuesday 26th April.   

Statement from Lustau:

'It is with profound sadness that we announce Manuel Lozano, Head Winemaker and Chief Enologist of Bodega Lustau Sherries and Brandies died on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 after suffering from complications following a recent medical procedure. He was 61.

Recognized among the world’s great winemakers, Manuel’s passion, commitment, expertise and success leave an unforgettable legacy.

Since joining Bodega Lustau in 1999, Manuel took pride in continuing the traditions of his predecessors to dedicate his whole life to Sherry wines.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work with and learn from this exceptional man” stated Myrna Santos Mayor, North American Director for Lustau. “On behalf of the entire team at Bodegas Lustau and the Luis Caballero Group we wish to express our sincere appreciation for your outpouring of affection and kind condolences extended to us during this difficult time.”

Manuel Lozano is survived by his wife and three sons.'

For further information, please visit: www.lustau.es https://www.facebook.com/LustauSherry https://twitter.com/@bodegalustau

#winelovers in Jerez: the highlights of the 4th anniversary

The coronation of King Magnus (Saturday 13th February 2016)

King Magnus with Luiz Alberto, a co-founder and high priest of #winelovers
(Left jab to be followed by right hook!!)

We are now back in Lisbon with time and space to reflect on the excellent #winelover trip to Jerez to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the group's founding. Time to list the highlights in chronological order of our busy programme during which we tasted and drank many excellent Sherries. 

The welcome dinner at Restaurante Bocarambo (Tuesday 9th February 2016)

This was fun and very good to meet up with old friends and meet new #winelovers. To enjoy a Cava before moving onto more serious wines – a wonderfully fresh Tio Pepe and the Río Viejo from Lustau. 

Introduction to Jerez by Beltrán Domecq, president of the Consejo

(Wednesday 10th February 2016)

Beltrán is one of the great figures of Jerez and his introductory talk on the wines of Jerez was excellently concise and clear.

 

Visit to Gonzalez Byass
(Wednesday 10th February 2016)

This was a brilliant visit and very professionally organised, from the visit to vineyard with José Manuel Arana, the viticultural manager, to the tasting of the Las Palmas range with Antonio Flores, their Sherry Blender. We also enjoyed a very good lunch starring a main dish of oxtail. 

Visit to Lustau
(Wednesday 10th February 2016)

We were treated to a detailed explanation of Amontillado by Sherry Master Manuel Lozano followed by a magical dinner in the impressive Bodega la Emperatriz wonderfully accompanied by guitar maestro – Miguel Salado.
  

Visit to Barbadillo

(Thursday 11th February 2016)

This was another very good visit learning about what makes the wines from Sanlúcar de Barrameda different from those of Jerez – in essence the bodegas' close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Montse Molina, their oenologist, and Armando Guerra, in charge of special projects, led us through the wines. At the end of the visit we enjoyed some wonderfully modern and delicious tapas.  

Visit to Delgado Zuleta     

(Thursday 11th February 2016)

Another highlight with a guided visit led by Salvador Real, the oenologist, and a tasting of some excellent and very reasonably priced Sherries – so good that we brought some back with us to Lisbon. Another very enjoyable dinner. 

Visit to Gutiérrez Colosía

(Friday 12th February 2016) 

This was a delightful visit to a family bodega - Juan Carlos Gutiérrez Colosía (owner & sherry blender), Carmen Pou (owner) and their daughter Carmen Gutiérrez Pou - in El Puerto de Santa Maria with some brilliant Sherries. If we hadn't already bought from Zuleta, we would have been sorely tempted to buy here.

Lunch at Bodegas González Obregón

(Friday 12th February 2016)

It was great to enjoy a traditional lunch with hearty dishes at Manuel González' very atmospheric bodega. 



Signing barrel at Osborne 
(Friday 12th February 2016)

Signed #winelover barrel @osborne_es

Añada tasting@ Williams & Humbert
(Saturday 13th February 2016)
This tasting of single vintage Sherries, presented by Paola Medina,  proved to be quite controversial with some #winelovers finding them unattractive. Several years back I tasted a similar experiment with George Sandeman at the Sandeman Bodega. I think these single vintage Sherries are interesting but will surely always be a small niche but one that is interesting to the adventurous wine-maker. I particularly enjoyed the 2012 and 2001 Añadas.  

 Montse Molina, oenologist at Barbadillo     

Female winemakers 

It was good to meet two female winemakers:  Montse Molina, oenologist at Barbadillo, and Paola Medina, oenologist at Williams & Humbert. 

 

  Paola Medina, oenologist at Williams & Humbert

The coronation of King Magnus 
Due to needing to spend more time with his timber business, co-founder Luiz Alberto handed over his responsibilities to Magnus Reuterdahl at the end of our BYOB event (13th February 2016). Magnus has been promoted to King with Ted Lelekas, who has organised the #winelover 4th annual celebrations in Athens, as prime minister. I understand that a board of directors will be appointed, so the #winelover group is becoming more formalised. 

Note to King Magnus – for the next #winelover trip we need name tags so we can remember who we are!

Valeska Idarraga and Fernando Parades
Many thanks to Valeska and Fernando for organising everything so well! 

  

What is the #winelover community?

It was founded in February 2012 by Luiz Alberto and André Ribeirinho some four years ago. This Facebook group has now grown to just over 20,000 members. The criteria to join is simple – to love wine. Events (#winelover hangouts) are organised so members can meet up and share wine and usually good food as well as have trips to wine regions. Every year on the anniversary of the group's foundation there is a celebration in a wine region. In 2013 it was Umbria, followed by Friuli in 2014, Lisbon in 2015 and Jerez this last week. The 2016 celebrations haven't finished as there is also a celebratory trip in Greece now in progress. The #winelover group (#winelovers against cancer) campaigns to raise money to fight cancer.

The #winelover group and its success is a product of our times as the group would not exist if there was no social media. 

    

Barrel from 1947 above that of Julian Jeffs

author of the classic work in English on the wines of Jerez  

A glass or two, or three, of Sherry

Being rather fond of Sherry, one of the most under-rated and good-value wines, we don't need much of an excuse to raid the shelves of our local wine suppliers. Over the last few evenings we have sampled three delightful examples thinking about the recent and very sad passing of John Radford, a lover of all things Spanish and a great sherry enthusiast. We hope he would approve.

The first was a long-standing favourite Fino from Gonzales Byas, Tio Pepe. Pale-coloured, lovely fresh nose, wonderfully crisp and refreshing and long on the palate. A joy of an aperitif and just right to pep up the appetite.

The second, a Dry Oloroso, one of the Waitrose range of Lustau sherries, was a lovely dark bronze that shone in the glass. A bit of peach and apricot on the nose, then rich dried fig and prune on the palate ending with burnt caramel flavours but without the sweetness.  A lovely long dry finish.

The third, another from the Waitrose Lustau range, a Dry Amontillado. Slightly paler than the Oloroso but lovely rich nose and palate. Nutty with a touch of caramel, this had terrific length and a wonderfully austere dry finish. 

The Tio Pepe at £9.99 from Sainsbury's and the Waitrose Sherries at £8.99 each are stunning value. Difficult to find any other wine of such quality for under £10.

All three were superb but we both voted the Dry Amontillado as our overall favourite.  Glad we have some left for this evening!